forgiveness

The Journey..... to New Dimensions Radio

For the last eleven years Justine Toms, Co-Founder and Managing Producer of New Dimensions Radio and I have sat as original members of The Millionth Circle. We have shared stories, laughed, cried, dreamed, listened deeply, sat in silence, been roommates in Barcelona, Spain and traveled to be in circle at the Chalice Well in Glastonbury England. And nothing was more fulfilling and joyful than being interviewed this past Friday for the May radio broadcast. 

New Dimensions has been around since the 70's when Justine and her husband Michael Toms began asking the question, what does it mean to be human and live in harmony?  It is a question with many twists and turns that leaves me asking even more questions of myself, and my relationship to this universe.  Over the decades the worlds leading-edge guest have included, everybody from Nobel Peace Prize winners to famous playwrights and the Dalai Lama, Maya Angelou, Joseph Campbell, Alice Walker, and Wangari Maathai, to name a very few. Each broadcast has held the listener in a place of reflection as words of emergence, transformation, awareness, inter-connection, possibilities, silence, consciousness... have penetrated our ears, and our hearts.

And so, as I read from my book - the funny chapter when the bug gets down my dress, I'm screaming, while the good folks think I've got the holy spirit....I had to pinch myself.  Here I was sitting across the table from this exquisite interviewer and gracious soul Justine, with the mic all attached and specific instructions about not moving or popping  my knuckles (something I do when I'm a little nervous). Yes, here I was being interviewed and realizing once again, 'had it not been for the JOURNEY,' I most likely would not be speaking these words of race, rage, religion, circle, healing, forgiveness...for world-wide radio.

And so, I say to you and you and you, keep pressing on, stay on the path, keep your dreams alive even when the load feels too heavy to push on.  Know that you are held in a circle of grace and you never know who you will meet, or what gentle being will ask you to share your lessons learned one day. You never know the Justine's in your life, that will partner with you to radiant your light!

You may find my interview here, on the front page for the next week!!

 

 

Thank you 2011

It seemed everywhere I went as the old year came to a close was talk about how bad things were in 2011.  I celebrated the last minutes of the year, while the MC shouted, "So glad it is almost over." It caused me to stop and reflect on the year with a different lens.

Yes, I also experienced family and friends with health opportunities, several sudden deaths, financial instability, job lost, home foreclosures... And there were times I had disappointments, setbacks, broken promises, debate, disagreement, headaches, and questions about WHY this thing or that happened AGAIN!

And as I checked in with myself, I found that I didn't feel angry or upset with anything that happened in 2011. It happened. Questioning the WHY was a waste of my energy.  And, I found the more I reflected, the more I felt grateful for the journey.

I have come to deeply believe and appreciate the saying about "Life being a journey."  For me, it's all in how I look at it. More than ever, my glass is not just half full; my glass is FULL - running over, spilling itself with abundance and prosperity. You may not notice it, but what does that matter? Again, it's how I look at it!

2011 just brought me closer to me. Closer to this place of feeling more alive, more purposeful, more grounded and loving than any other time in my life. Closer to speaking what is true for me with conviction, wisdom, humility, and compassion. 2011 brought me closer to what is mine to do; practicing forgiveness in all that I am and am becoming.  

So, as I welcome 2012, I say "thank you to 2011" for the many lessons learned; for the tears and the laughter; for remembering the gift of loved ones; old and new friends; for reminding me of my responsibilities as a member of the global community with love and forgiveness in my heart...over and over again.

 

Waking Up to my “Little Girl”

I was like a little girl as I peeked out the front door at 5:30 this morning, wondering, “Has the newspaper arrived?” And then I saw it wrapped in green plastic (it rained last night).  I clutched the paper in my hand, as if, it were a precious present left by Santa under the Christmas tree. I was patient, as I switched on the kitchen light moving with intention, glancing through the first section, and then the business section.

Remember when you opened Christmas presents? Were you the kind that tore the wrapping off or took your time? Anyway, I kept thumbing to the third section, and then “Viola” there on the front page was my picture in living color. “Oh My God” I screamed, grabbing my face with excitement just like I did when I was a little girl. I first checked myself out, before reading the beautiful article about my soon to be published memoir, Coming To Forgiveness. Once I stopped jumping up and down, I settled into this feeling from long ago and remembered how alive it feels to be pregnant with expectation, wonder, and excitement.  

This little girl has been on a journey for almost 50 years. Most days she’s got on her big girl panties, but this morning, she was reminded how good it feels to be giddy and free.

Have you welcomed your “little girl” in your life lately? The “little girl” that is playful, fun, light, ready for the magic that always shows up? No matter what is on our plate, we always have the opportunity to invite her in…if only for a little while. Try it. I guarantee, she will put a smile on your face!!